How to write good CV that gets you the dream job

In order to get the job you need to write good CV, or curriculum vitae. A CV that can impress those scanning through it so much that they call you for an interview.

Before you dazzle a prospective employer in person, you’re going to have to impress them with your CV. You need to serve them entrée, before the main course.

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) (known as résumé in America) is a document that contains a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education, usually for the purpose of obtaining an interview when seeking employment.

A CV can be on paper or on-line or even on a T-shirt (a gimmicky approach that might work for “creative” jobs but not generally advised!).

There is no one best way to write good CV. It all depends on your skills, experience and industry.

If you’re going for a job requiring certain skills, then it can be worth adapting your CV and experience to demonstrate you’re right for the job. You’re basically selling yourself on that piece of paper, so mold the information to reflect what your potential employer is looking for in an ideal job candidate.

Be sure to do your homework on every company you apply for, check their website, Google them, check them on the social media, or even contact current employees.

Here are few tips to write good CV:

Presentation:

In order to write good CV, make it a well-written concise document that is no longer than two pages.

It should be well presented and laid out, with lots of white space. Avoid complex formatting, shading, boxes and stylised fonts.

Avoid using long paragraphs and sentences.

Keep your CV honest and factual.

Sell yourself and be positive.

Information must be in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

No misspellings or grammatical errors.

Personal Profile: To write good CV, it is important to include a personal profile of three to four lines that sums up your key experience, skills, achievements and motivations. Ensure that a little of your personality is also conveyed.

Work Experience: Employers are interested in how you can solve their problems! Work experience should therefore focus on your achievements and accomplishments, and should highlight the benefits that your work has had for an organisation. These should be backed up by facts and figures if possible.

Must avoid the following:

Reason for leaving: This will be covered in the interview.

Salary details: This can knock you out of contention before you have started.

Photographs: Do not include photos in CV unless specifically asked by the employer.

Weaknesses: Never tell what you do not have or what you have not had the opportunity to do yet.

Jargon: Ensure your CV is reader friendly to as many people as possible.

References: You can state that they are available on request, but it is inappropriate and unprofessional to include them in your CV.

Marital Status, Religion, Nationality, Children etc.: This has no bearing on your ability to do the job.